Hinge.



C. G. NORTON & J. PRATT.

HINGE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.6, 1912.

1,046,486. Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

Jjj Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Attorneys- Witnesses I Inv CHARLEY C. NORTON AND JOSEPH PRATT, OF CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS.

HINGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

Application filed April e, 1912. Serial no. 688,893.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLEY C. Non'roN and JosiiPHv PRATT, citizensof the United States residing at Champaign, n the county of Champaign, State of Ill1nois,have invented a new and useful Hinge, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates tohinges partlcularly designed for use on refrigerators although it is to be understood that the same may be used in connection with any other structures desired.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a hinge having means for lubricating the bearings thereof whereby sticking or freezing of the hinge is prevented and the same will work freely at all times.

A further object is to provide a structure of this character which is simple and durable and the parts of which will not readily get out of order.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and 1n the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings :Figure 1 is an eleva tion of the hinge. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a section on line AB Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of one member of the hinge. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of butt end of the movable hinge member.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates the attaching plate of one member of the hinge, said plate having outstanding ears 2 and 3, the ear 3 being provided, in its upper face, with a substantially conical recess 4. The other car 2 has an interiorly screw threaded opening 5 adapted to receive a nipple 6 having a substantially conical bearing recess 7 in one end while its upper end has a recess 8 therein opening, at its bottom, into the small end of the recess 7. A kerf 9 may be formed within the outer end of the nipple 6 so that the same can be readily rotated by means of a screw driver or the like. A screw cap 10 in the form of a hollow nut, engages the outer or projecting end portion of the nipple 6 and constitutes a closure for the recess 8. This cap may, if desired, be formed with a small opening 11 through which oil may be fed into the recess 8. The other member of the hinge has been shown in the form of a strap 12 the butt end 13 of which has oppositely extending studs 14 which are formed with conical ends 15. A passage 16 extends axially through the studs 14 and through the butt end of the hinge, this passage extending from the apex of one of the studs to the apex of the other, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

It is to be understood that the conical end of one of the studs 14 is adapted to bear within the recess 4 while the conical end of the other stud is adapted to bear within the recess 7. By removing the cap 10, the nipple 6 can be screwed into the opening 5 so as to bear upon the upper stud 14 with any desired degree of pressure. After the parts have thus been adjusted the cap 10 can be screwed onto the nipple 6 and caused to bind tightly upon the upper ear 2, this cap thus serving as a lock nut to prevent the nipple from unscrewing. With the parts thus assembled oil may be introduced through the opening 11 into the recess 8 and will gravitate through the passage 16 to the lower recess 4. This lubricant will also feed between the upper stud 14 and the nipple 6. Thus it will be seen that the points of contact between the studs and their bearings will be thoroughly lubricated at all times and the hinge is therefore prevented from sticking or becoming frozen. Wear can be taken up whenever desired simply by screwing the nipple 6 toward the adjacent stud 14.

What is claimed is 1. A hinge including a recessed bearing member, an apertured member spaced therefrom, a tubular bearing member adjustably mounted within said aperture, said bearing member constituting a lubricant container, and a hinge member extending between said recess and apertured members and having oppositely disposed studs hearing within the recess and within the bearing member respectively, there being an oil passage extending from the outer end of one stud to the other end of the other stud.

2. A hinge including a member having oppositely extending tapered portions, there being an oil passage extending through said portions, another hinge member having a recessed portion for the reception of one of said bearing portions and an apertured portion for the reception of the other bearing portion, an adjustable nipple mounted vvith in said apertured portion and constituting a bearing, there being a lubricant containing recess Within the nipple and having an outlet registering with the passage in said bearing portions.

3. A hinge including a member having outstanding ears, there being a recess in one ear and an aperture in the other ear, a nipple adjustably mounted in said aperture and having a lubricant receiving recess formed with an outlet in the bottom thereof, another hinge member having oppositely extending tapered studs bearing Within the recess and Within the nipple respectively, there being an oil conducting passage arranged axially Within the studs and communicating With the outlet of the nipple, and a combined cap and lock nut engaging the nipple and adapted to bear upon the apertured ear.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our own, We have hereto afiiXed our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLEY O. NORTON. JOSEPH PRATT.

Witnesses:

N. M. MoGRA'rH, GEO. F. BEARDSLY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

